on the menu ~ beyond the caprese salad

I love caprese salads!
From the rich fresh mozarella cheese to the juicy tomatoes to the fragrant basil.

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We eat caprese salads a bunch around here & my favorite is when we have fresh tomatoes & basil from our own veggie garden.
You can read more about our home garden here and here and here.
And although I’m a traditionalist at heart and prefer dishes prepared in their basic version, sometimes stepping out & evolving is not a bad thing.

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I just made a caprese salad and somewhat of an antipasto all as a giant platter.
I loved how it came out and apparently so did all our guests since it was all gone.  g.o.n.e
I made a traditional caprese salad using sliced red vine tomatoes & bocconcini mozarella garnished with julienne fresh basil.

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I garnished the caprese elements around the platter with fresh avocado, fire roasted red bell peppers, prosciutto & a medley of mediterranean olives.
Everything was placed on a bed of dressed baby arugula.

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Delicious.  Not kidding you.  And not only delicious, but just as pretty to look at.
I could have just had this for dinner, but we had 3 other courses to go after this.

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Besides the caprese/antipasto platter I described above I also make caprese kabobs a lot to bring to pot lucks, pic nics, etc.

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They are easy to make and easy to eat since there are no utensils required.

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Our favorite version of caprese salad uses cherry and | or pear tomatoes since we grown these in our garden.
I use the ciliegine size of fresh mozarella for this and just slice the cheese & tomatoes in half.  Super easy tossed with dressing & fresh basil.

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Regardless of which version I am preparing I always dress them the same way.  Salt, pepper, extra virgin olive oil & red wine vinegar.  That’s it!
Flawless every time.

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You can also apply the caprese ingredients to a pizza, pasta or sandwich.
You really can’t go wrong with these fresh ingredients.  Tastes like summertime.
Bon Appetite!

sharing @:

inspire me tuesday @ a stroll thru life

talk of the time @ knick of time

the inspiration board @ carolyn’s homework

wow @ savvy southern style

sizzle into summer @ diy by design

wonderful wednesday @ oh my heartsie girl

wake-up wednesday @ god’s growing garden

vintage charm @ charm bracelet diva

home& garden @ a delightsome life

syc @ have a daily cup of mrs. olson

home sweet home @ the charm of home

share your style @ little farmstead

feathered nest friday @ french country cottage

morning cup of joe @ the cottage market

simple&sweet @ rooted in thyme

shabbilicious friday @ shabby art boutique

friday’s 5 features @ diy vintage chic

pinworthy project @ the suburban kitchen

craft frenzy friday @ craft dictator

funtastic friday @ olives & okra

party palooza @ i heart naptime

saturday sparks @ pieced pastimes

a bouquet of talent @ life on lakeshore drive

share it one more time @ lilacs & longhorns

sundays at home @ love of home

creative corner @ curly crafty mom

dishing it digging it @ rustic & refined

amaze me monday @ dwellings-the heart of your home

show&share @ coastal charm

the scoop @ stonegable

inspire me @ my uncommon slice of suburbia

metamorphis monday @ between naps on the porch

motivation monday @ making our life matter

celebrate your story @ the sweet sensations

mmm @ keeping it simple

make it pretty monday @ the dedicated house

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4 Comments

  1. Sandra Garth says:

    That salad is a “Masterpiece” and I would love to dive into it right now! Thank you for generously sharing your links with us this week at Celebrate Your Story.

  2. thanks sandra! xo- mj

  3. Christine says:

    If you served that in front of me it would definitely be all gone too! It looks wonderful. Thanks so much for sharing this with us at the DI & DI Link party. Have a great week!

  4. thank you so much christine. hope you have a fabulous week as well. xo- mj

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